Brek Shea, who plays for FC Dallas, made a strong showing in his debut as a substitute for the U.S. national team in a 1-1 draw with Mexico on Wednesday.

Brek Shea, who plays for FC Dallas, made a strong showing in his debut as a substitute for the U.S. national team in a 1-1 draw with Mexico on Wednesday.

Photo: Matt Strasen, Associated Press

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Jurgen Klinsmann made his debut as U.S. national team coach during Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Mexico.

Jurgen Klinsmann made his debut as U.S. national team coach during Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Mexico.

Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM, AFP/Getty Images

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Soccer notebook: Klinsmann open to player creativity

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PHILADELPHIA — Praised often by his new players for his positive energy and uplifting nature, German soccer legend Jürgen Klinsmann didn't hesitate when asked if Germany had a rivalry similar to the U.S.-Mexico soccer rivalry.

"Well, maybe because of the history Germany has they have a couple of rivals overseas," Klinsmann said. "Certainly Germany-England or Germany-Holland is very, very delicate to deal with.

"I think it's fascinating to have that rivalry between Mexico and the U.S., because of the history of both countries, because of the melting pot of the United States with so many Latin people living here. It's fascinating for me."

As was evident by the multiple shoving matches Wednesday night at Lincoln Financial Field during the 1-1 draw in Klinsmann's debut as U.S. national team coach, there's no love lost between both teams. The ovation the U.S. national team received at Reliant Stadium by Mexican flag-waving fans June 22 after beating Panama before Mexico beat Honduras in the other Gold Cup semifinals was a rarity.

After 13 years of living in Southern California with his American wife and children, Klinsmann developed an appreciation for the diversity in America. He might become the first U.S. national team coach who co-opts the Mexican American fans who remain faithful to the country of their parents and ancestors when the U.S. plays Mexico.

A silky striker who led Germany as a player to the 1990 World Cup title, Klinsmann wants to open up the U.S. style and integrate a more possession, attacking style more commonly associated with Mexico. .

Confidence game

It was no coincidence that his first starting lineup included four Mexican-Americans, including three players who play in Mexico's Primera Division.

Three of those starters could claim dual citizenship in Mexico and the U.S., and defender Edgar Castillo played for Mexico before opting to play for the U.S.

"For me (it's) also a kind of a learning process," Klinsmann said. "It's very interesting for me to see that. Obviously when you dig deeper into that whole topic about youth development, you see many with dual citizenship. That's unique. You won't see many German-Dutch kids going through the ranks. So it's a little bit different ."

Discarded since he struggled at the 2010 World Cup, midfielder Jose Torres got his first call-up since South Africa and was given the start and freedom to play his attacking style.

"We wanted to see a couple of different things," Klinsmann said. "Obviously Jose Torres is a tremendous talent coming from the left, great crosses. He's showed in a couple of training sessions amazing skills, but he's also a player that when he plays in middle he can hold the ball."

On June 25 in the Gold Cup final, Mexico controlled possession and pushed the pace in the come-from-behind 4-2 win over the U.S. Mexico controlled the pace again in the first half Wednesday, but the U.S. pushed the attack and controlled the pace while dominating Mexico in the second half.

Given the freedom to be creative, College Station's Brek Shea of FC Dallas was a major factor as a late substitute. The 6-4 midfielder was too fast and strong for Mexico's defense when he dribbled to the end-line before delivering the game-tying assist.

"I got a lot of playing time this year (with FC Dallas), and that definitely helps in raising confidence," Shea said. "And coach Klinsmann also brings positive energy. He's all about if you mess up, it's not a big deal, you move on. I really like that about him."

Klinsmann had freedom during his 17-year career, and it's clear he'll let his players be creative.

"When he said that I was (surprised), especially in his debut with the national team," Shea said. "To have the freedom to do what you'd like and not have a set 'You have to do this or this' it just gives a player that much more confidence."

Tapping into diversity

Shea moved after his freshman year at Bryan High to the U.S. youth residency program in Bradenton, Fla. Longview's Torres left high school early to begin his career in Mexico with Pachuca, where he made his Mexican league debut in 2006.

Torres, a son of a Mexican father and an Anglo mother, and Shea, who is of Norwegian ancestry, are two young examples of diversity within Texas and the country.

Klinsmann hopes to tap into that diversity in a way he never could have while coaching Germany to third place at the 2006 World Cup.